U.S. Government Affairs

  • 1.  Wildfire Response Improvement Act - Request for Feedback

    Posted 07-14-2023 11:34
      |   view attached

    Congressman Greg Stanton of Arizona is getting ready to introduce the Wildfire Response Improvement Act (see attached draft). According to his staff, the bill is intended to address concerns raised by communities impacted by wildfire:

    • Section 2 directs FEMA to recommend regulations to make immediate post-fire emergency protective measures eligible for assistance via a FMAG. The intent of this section is to ensure FMAG $ can be used for short-term safety assessments and activities post fire. Such activities might include removing fallen trees from roads, preliminary hill stabilization, address land slide and debris flow risks, and mitigate immediate risk to water sources.  Nothing in Section 420 prevents FEMA from supporting these emergency protective measures.
    • Section 3 directs FEMA to update the PAPPG to include guidance on wildfire specific recovery challenges including debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the resulting toxicity of drinking water.
    • Section 4 directs the Administrator to conduct a review of the criteria for evaluating the cost-effectiveness BRIC and HMPG projects. The intent of this provision is to ensure projects to mitigate wildfire related risk are as competitive as mitigation projects designed to mitigate typical east coast hazards such as severe storms and floods.  

    Thoughts on the bill (particularly from those of you in fire-prone jurisdictions)?



    ------------------------------
    Thad Huguley
    Government Affairs Director
    IAEM
    Falls Church VA
    (615) 870-9316
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Wildfire Response Improvement Act - Draft.pdf   36 KB 1 version


  • 2.  RE: Wildfire Response Improvement Act - Request for Feedback

    Posted 12-06-2023 16:32
      |   view attached

    Please find attached a one-pager for the Wildfire Response Improvement Act



    ------------------------------
    Thad Huguley
    Government Affairs Director
    IAEM
    Falls Church VA
    (615) 870-9316
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Wildfire Response Improvement Act - One Pager.pdf   115 KB 1 version


  • 3.  RE: Wildfire Response Improvement Act - Request for Feedback

    Posted 12-07-2023 11:54

    Thad, 

    Thank you very much for sharing! I think this would be valuable for fire prone communities. 



    ------------------------------
    Mary Jo Flynn-Nevins
    Chief of Emergency Services
    Sacramento County OES
    McClellan CA
    (916) 874-4671
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Wildfire Response Improvement Act - Request for Feedback

    Posted 01-23-2024 10:47

    Yesterday, Congressman Greg Stanton (D--AZ-4) introduced the Wildfire Response Improvement Act (H.R. 7070), a bill that IAEM helped draft and has endorsed.  The bill directs FEMA to update several aspects of wildfire response policy (see original post for details).  I've attached the bill text and a letter of endorsement that IAEM signed along with NEMA, BCEM, BuildStrong, NACO, and the Fire Chiefs.



    ------------------------------
    Thad Huguley
    Government Affairs Director
    IAEM
    Falls Church VA
    (615) 870-9316
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Wildfire Response Improvement Act - Request for Feedback

    Posted 01-23-2024 14:48

    Here are the two documents referenced in my previous post...



    ------------------------------
    Thad Huguley
    Government Affairs Director
    IAEM
    Falls Church VA
    (615) 870-9316
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Letter re Wildfire Response Improvement Act 240122.pdf   174 KB 1 version
    pdf
    Legislative Text.pdf   36 KB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Wildfire Response Improvement Act - Request for Feedback

    Posted 01-29-2024 12:36

    Here is the press release announcing introduction of the bill...

    https://stanton.house.gov/2024/1/stanton-lamalfa-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-help-western-communities-recover-from-wildfires



    ------------------------------
    Thad Huguley
    Government Affairs Director
    IAEM
    Falls Church VA
    (615) 870-9316
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Wildfire Response Improvement Act - Request for Feedback

    Posted 01-30-2024 11:28

    The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to mark-up the Wildfire Response Improvement Act on Wednesday, January 31, at 10:00 ET, and the bill is expected to be reported favorably to the House floor.

    You can stream the hearing here.



    ------------------------------
    Thad Huguley
    Government Affairs Director
    IAEM
    Falls Church VA
    (615) 870-9316
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Wildfire Response Improvement Act - Request for Feedback

    Posted 01-31-2024 11:16
      |   view attached

    I've attached a stakeholder letter expressing support for this bill. 



    ------------------------------
    Thad Huguley
    Government Affairs Director
    IAEM
    Falls Church VA
    (615) 870-9316
    ------------------------------



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